What is vision insurance?
Vision insurance is used to help lower the cost of eyeglasses, contact lenses, and eye exams. This supplemental insurance can also help offset LASIK costs. Some people may opt for a vision discount plan, which can be purchased separately from insurance that offers provider discounts instead of copay allowances.
Plans vary, meaning consumers should read the coverage elements before buying. While some plans pay for eye exams in full, others require a copay. Similarly, coverage for eyeglasses and contact lenses varies between providers and plans.
What does vision insurance typically include?
Vision insurance generally includes coverage for annual exams, lenses, frames, and contact lenses. Providers may offer higher-tier plans, including appointments for contact adjustments, lens protection, and LASIK surgery. Programs may cover certain brands or have price limits for frames and contacts.
What does vision insurance normally exclude?
Many companies will not fully cover what they consider “elective surgery,” such as LASIK. But some insurance plans offer coupons to offset costs. Other medically necessary eye surgeries and treatments for conditions such as glaucoma and cataracts will only be covered by your health insurance.
Vision insurance often only covers specific brands or price ranges regarding eyeglasses or contacts. Understanding what is covered is essential, so you don’t feel disappointed or forced to change styles or brands. Other exclusions vary depending on the cost and breadth of the plan: For example, some cheaper plans may cover only glasses and not contacts.
Best for contact lens wearers: Humana
pros
- Multiple plans that give you an allowance to spend on contact lenses.
- No annual deductibles with Vision PPO
- A yearly eye exam with no copay
cons
- High costs when going out of network
- Lack of different plan options
Humana was founded in 1961 in Louisville, Kentucky, and is the nation’s largest hospital owner and operator. Humana has a foundation that provides area disaster relief and support for Louisville-based health organizations. Humana maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Customers choose from two vision plan options with Humana: MyOption Vision and Humana Vision PPO. Coverage costs vary from state to state, with most plans starting at $16.99 monthly. When you sign up, a $35 startup fee is charged in the first month; this fee is waived if combined with dental insurance.
Humana’s plans include an annual eye exam with no copay. The option Vision plan gives you $365 to spend on glasses and contacts, however you choose. Humana Vision PPO gives you $150 toward contact lenses and access to a $40 contact lens fitting appointment. Both plans state that you’ll never pay more than $40 for an annual eye exam, and if you choose the Vision PPO, you won’t even have a yearly deductible.
Why We Chose It: Humana tailors policies with contacts in mind to provide the most generous contact coverage, realizing that contacts are just as important to patients who use them regularly.
